Bill 3124

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLES 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, AND 124 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "SECOND AMENDMENT" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "DEPARTMENT OF NAVY" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF ACTIVE DUTY OVERSEAS VETERANS" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "STATE FLAG" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL-RETIRED" LICENSE PLATES, "I SUPPORT LIBRARIES" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "COON HUNTERS" LICENSE PLATES, "BEACH MUSIC" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "CITADEL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 'BIG RED'" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "LARGE MOUTH BASS" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "HIGH SCHOOL" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, "SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE FEDERATION" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES AND "HISTORIC" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-7330, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF "BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "EAGLE SCOUTS OF AMERICA" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-2150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES TO CERTAIN CURRENT AND FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES THAT A CORONER MAY BE ISSUED FROM ONE TO TWO; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1240, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DISPLAY OF A LICENSE PLATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A FRAME MAY BE PLACED ON A LICENSE PLATE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-10410, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF "VETERAN" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR SYMBOL ON CERTAIN "VETERAN" LICENSE PLATES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-3310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF "PURPLE HEART" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSE PLATES THAT MAY BE ISSUED TO A PERSON FROM ONE TO THREE AND TO PROVIDE A FEE FOR THE THIRD LICENSE PLATE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-8000, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES THAT CONTAIN THE EMBLEM OF A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION, SO AS TO SPECIFY THEIR SIZE, GENERAL DESIGN, PERIOD OF VALIDITY, TO REVISE THEIR COSTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF FEES COLLECTED FROM THEIR SALE, TO REVISE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PREPAID APPLICATIONS AND MINIMUM PAYMENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MUST RECEIVE BEFORE A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE MAY BE ISSUED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ORGANIZATION MUST GIVE ITS LEGAL AUTHORITY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S USE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S LOGO, TRADE MARK, OR DESIGN; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-8100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES CREATED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SO AS TO REVISE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PREPAID APPLICATIONS AND MINIMUM PAYMENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MUST RECEIVE BEFORE A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE MAY BE ISSUED AND TO REVISE THEIR COSTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF FEES COLLECTED FROM THEIR SALES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 108

'Distinguished Service Medal' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-10810. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Distinguished Service Medal' special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in section 56-3-20 registered in their names who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The fee for this special license plate is the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. The license plates issued pursuant to this section must contain an illustration of the Distinguished Service Medal. The application for this special license plate must include proof that the applicant is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal. Not more than two license plates may be issued to a person.

(B) This special license plate is exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 109

'Second Amendment' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-10910. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Second Amendment' special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20 registered in their names. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the Criminal Justice Academy.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 3. Article 124, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 124

Historic Special Motor Vehicle License Plates

Section 56-3-12410. The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue a 'Historic' special motor vehicle license plate for use on a private passenger carrying motor vehicle, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or a motorcycle as defined in Section 56-3-20, that is twenty-five years of age or older at the time of applying for the special plate. The applicant for a 'Historic' license plate must be the owner of the motor vehicle or motorcycle and must be a resident of this State.

Section 56-3-12420. The special license plate must be of the same size and general design as a regular motor vehicle or motorcycle license plate. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall imprint the special license plates with the word 'Historic', with numbers the department may determine. The license plate must be for a biennial period that expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

Section 56-3-12430. A license plate issued pursuant to this article may be transferred to another vehicle or motorcycle that meets the requirements of Section 56-3-2240 and is owned by the same person upon application being made and being approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is unlawful for any person to whom the plate has been issued to knowingly permit it to be displayed on any vehicle or motorcycle except the one authorized by the department.

Section 56-3-12440. The provisions of this article do not affect the registration and licensing of motor vehicles or motorcycles as required by other provisions of this chapter, but are cumulative to those other provisions. Any person violating the provisions of this article or any person who (a) fraudulently gives false or fictitious information in any application for a special license plate, as authorized in this article, (b) conceals a material fact, or (c) otherwise commits fraud in the application or in the use of any special license plate issued is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both.

Section56-3-12450. The fee for the plate is the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and a special motor vehicle license fee of thirty-five dollars. Notwithstanding another provision of law, from the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the department in producing and administering the special license plates. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be placed in the state's general fund.

Section 56-3-12460. The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a 'Historic' special license plate must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 4. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 110

'Distinguished Service Cross' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11010. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Distinguished Service Cross' special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20 registered in their names who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The fee for this special license plate is the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. The license plates issued pursuant to this section must contain an illustration of the Distinguished Service Cross. The application for this special license plate must include proof that the applicant is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross. Not more than two license plates may be issued to a person.

(B) This special license plate is exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 5. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 111

'Department of the Navy' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11110. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Department of the Navy' special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the general fund.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 6. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 112

'Parents and Spouses of Active Duty Overseas Veterans'

Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11210. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Parents and Spouses of Active Duty Overseas Veterans' special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the general fund.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 7. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 113

'State Flag' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11310. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special 'State Flag' motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. The fee for this special license plate is twenty dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The design of the license plate must replicate the color, layout, and design of the state flag. The blue used for the license plate must be the official state color as established in Section 1-1-710.

(C) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the general fund.

(D) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 8. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 114

'South Carolina Highway Patrol-Retired' License Plates

Section 56-3-11410. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'South Carolina Highway Patrol-Retired' license plates for use on private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in a person's name in this State who served as a South Carolina Highway Patrolman or State Trooper and who honorably retired. An application for this special motor vehicle license plate must include certification from the South Carolina Highway Patrol that the applicant honorably retired.

(B) The requirements for production, collection and distribution of fees for a license plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall imprint the special license plates with the insignia of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the words 'South Carolina Highway Patrol-Retired' with numbers the department may determine.

(C) Only one special license plate authorized by this section may be issued to a person. A license plate issued pursuant to this section may be transferred to another vehicle of the same weight class owned by the same person upon application being made and being approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(D) Any person issued a special license plate pursuant to this section who is convicted of any felony, classified misdemeanor, traffic violation requiring a suspension of driving privileges, crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or other crime punishable by imprisonment for one year or more, shall surrender the special license plate to the Department of Motor Vehicles within three days of the date of the conviction.

(E) The provisions of this section do not affect the registration and licensing of motor vehicles required by other provisions of this chapter, but are cumulative to those other provisions.

(F) A person violating the provisions of this section or a person who:

(1) fraudulently gives false or fictitious information in any application for a special license plate authorized by this section;

(2) conceals a material fact or otherwise commits fraud in the application for a special license plate issued pursuant to this section;

(3) permits the special license plate to be displayed on any vehicle except the one authorized by the Department of Motor Vehicles; or

(4) who fails to surrender the special license plate as required by this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both."

SECTION 9. Section 56-3-7330 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 398 of 2006, is amended to read:

"Section 56-3-7330. The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Boy Scouts of America" special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any portion of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America, to then be distributed to the other five Boy Scout councils serving counties in South Carolina.(A)The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Boy Scouts of America' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. the requirements for production, collection and distribution of fees for the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any portion of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America, to then be distributed to the other five Boy Scout councils serving counties in South Carolina.

(B)(1)The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Eagle Scouts of America' special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in section 56-3-20, registered in their names who have been awarded the Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. The motor vehicle owner must present the department with official documentation that states that he was awarded the Eagle Scout Award, along with his application for this special license plate. The fee for this special license plate is thirty dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. The special license plate must be imprinted with an emblem, seal, symbol, or design agreed to by all of the Boy Scout councils serving counties in South Carolina.

(2)The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the South Carolina Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America, to then be distributed to the other five Boy Scout councils serving counties in South Carolina.

(3)The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 10. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 116

'I Support Libraries' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11610. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names which must have imprinted on the plate 'I Support Libraries'. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of producing the license plates must be equally distributed between the South Carolina Association of School Librarians and the South Carolina Library Association.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 11. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 117

'South Carolina Educator' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11710. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names which must have imprinted on the plate 'South Carolina Educator'. The application for this special license plate must include proof that the applicant is a public or private kindergarten through twelfth grade school teacher. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of the production must be distributed to the general fund.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 12. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 118

'Coon Hunters' License Plates

Section 56-3-11810. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles, as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names which must have imprinted on the plate 'Coon Hunters'. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of producing the license plates must be distributed to the South Carolina State Coon Hunters Association Youth Fund.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 13. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 119

'Beach Music' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-11910. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Beach Music' special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, and motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names which may have imprinted on the plate an emblem, a seal, or other symbol chosen by the department in consultation with the South Carolina Arts Commission reflecting the status of beach music as the official state popular music pursuant to Section 1-1-689. License plate number 'one' for the beach music license plate is reserved for the president of the Beach Music Association International or its successor organization if that individual is otherwise eligible to register a qualifying motor vehicle in this State. License plate number 'two' for the beach music license plate is reserved for the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Coastal Carolina University if that individual is otherwise eligible to register a motor vehicle in this State. The special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. The fee for this special license plate is the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and a special motor vehicle license fee of twenty dollars.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the general fund.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 14. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 code is amended by adding:

"Article 120

Citadel Alumni Association 'Big Red' Special License Plate

Section 56-3-12010. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue Citadel Alumni Association 'Big Red' special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630, and motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. The fee for each special license plate is seventy-five dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of producing the license plates must be distributed to the Citadel Alumni Association.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 15. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 121

'Largemouth Bass' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-12210. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Largemouth Bass' special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. The license plate shall have the image of a largemouth bass imprinted on it. The design of the plate and the largemouth bass image utilized must be selected through a public process conducted by the Department of Natural Resources. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. The special license plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the Department of Natural Resources, which shall only use the funds to promote bass fishing throughout the State.

(C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 16. Section 56-3-2150 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 177 of 2008, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-3-2150. The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to former members of the South Carolina Delegation of the United States Congress, retired judicial officers elected by the General Assembly or confirmed by the United States Senate, respectively, members of municipal and county councils, county coroners, and mayors of this State for private passenger motor vehicles owned by them. The department also may issue special motor vehicle license plates to former members of the General Assembly who are eligible to receive retirement benefits under the General Assembly Retirement System for private passenger motor vehicles and vehicles classified as private passenger motor vehicles in Section 56-3-630 owned by them. The biennial fee for these special license plates is the same as the fee provided in Section 56-3-2020, and only one plate may be issued to former members of the South Carolina Delegation of the United States Congress, retired judicial officers elected by the General Assembly or confirmed by the United States Senate, respectively, a councilman, coroner,a mayor, or a member of the General Assembly who is receiving retirement benefits. A coroner may be issued two license plates.The plateThese license plates must be issued or revalidated biennially for the regular registration and licensing period."

SECTION 17. Section 56-3-1240 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-3-1240. License plates issued for motor vehicles must be attached to the outside rear of the vehicle, open to view. However, on truck tractors and road tractors the plates must be attached to the outside front of the vehicle provided that single unit commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds may have the license plate on either the outside front or rear of the vehicle. Every license plate, at all times, must be fastened securely in a horizontal and upright position to the vehicle for which it was issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging. However, if a motorcycle is equipped with vertically mounted license plate brackets, its license plate must be mounted vertically with its top fastened along the right vertical edge. The bottom of the plate must be at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground in a place and position clearly visible as provided in Section 56-5-4530, and it must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a clearly legible condition. No other license plate, lighting equipment, except as permitted in Section 56-5-4530, tag, sign, monogram, tinted cover, or inscription of metal or other material may be displayed above, around, or upon the plate other than that which is authorized and issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of validating the plate. It is not unlawful to place a decal or a frame on the license plate if it does not obscure any letters or numbers. A motor vehicle owner may attach a trailer hitch to a motor vehicle provided the hitch does not obscure more than two inches of the license plate issued to the motor vehicle. It is unlawful to operate or drive a motor vehicle with the license plate missing and a person who is convicted for violating this section must be punished as provided by Section 56-3-2520."

SECTION 18. Section 56-3-10410 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 297 of 2008, is amended to read:

"Section 56-3-10410. (A) The department may issue a 'Veteran' special motor vehicle license plate for use on a private passenger motor vehicle, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycle, as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in a person's name in this State who served in the United States Armed Forces, active or reserve components, and who was honorably discharged from service. An application for this special motor vehicle license plate must include official military documentation showing the applicant was honorably discharged from service. Only two plates may be issued to a person.

(B) The requirements for production, collection and distribution of fees for a specialand distribution of the plate under this section are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall imprint the special license plates with the word 'Veteran', with numbers the department may determine.

(C) A license plate issued pursuant to this article may be transferred to another vehicle of the same weight class owned by the same person upon application being made and being approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is unlawful for a person to whom the plate has been issued to knowingly permit it to be displayed on any vehicle except the one authorized by the department.

(D) The provisions of this article do not affect the registration and licensing of motor vehicles as required by other provisions of this chapter but are cumulative to those other provisions. A person violating the provisions of this article or a person who (1) fraudulently gives false or fictitious information in any application for a special license plate, as authorized in this article, (2) conceals a material fact, or (3) otherwise commits fraud in the application or in the use of a special license plate issued is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both.

(E)If a person who qualifies for the special license plate issued under this section also meets all requirements for the handicapped license plate issued pursuant to Section 56-3-1910(B), then the license plate issued pursuant to this section shall also include the distinguishing wheelchair symbol used on license plates issued pursuant to Section 56-3-1910(B).

(F)If a person who qualifies for a special license plate issued under this section also is certified by the Veterans' Administration or County Veterans' Affairs office with a service related disability, then the license plate issued under this section shall also include the word 'disabled'."

SECTION 19. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 122

High School Special License Plates

Section 56-3-12210. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in a person's name, special motor vehicle license plates which may have imprinted on them an emblem, a seal, or other symbol the department considers appropriate of a public or independent high school located in this State. A school may submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for its respective special license plate. A school also may request a change in the emblem, seal, or other symbol once the existing inventory of the license plate has been exhausted. The fee for this special license plate is seventy dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. The special license plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month they are issued.

(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section must be distributed to a separate fund for each of the respective high schools. Each fund must be administered by the school and may be used only for academic scholarships. Funds collected for state schools must be deposited with the State Treasurer. Funds collected for independent institutions must be deposited in an account designated by the respective school. The distribution is thirty dollars to the department and forty dollars to the school for each special license plate sold for the respective school.

(C) The guidelines for the production of a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 20. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 123

'South Carolina Wildlife Federation' Special License Plates

Section 56-3-12310. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'South Carolina Wildlife Federation' or 'Palmetto Wild' or both, special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in section 56-3-20, registered in their names which may have imprinted on them an emblem, seal, symbol, or design of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation must submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, symbol, or design it wishes to display on the plates. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation must submit to the department written authorization for use of any copyrighted or registered logos, trademarks, or designs. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation may request a change in the emblem, seal, or symbol not more than once every five years. The plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month they are issued. The fee for the plate is the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and a special motor vehicle license fee of thirty dollars.

(B) Notwithstanding another provision of law, from the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the department to defray the expenses of the department in producing and administering the plates. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be distributed to the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for conservation programs in South Carolina.

(C) The guidelines for the production of a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION 21. Section 56-3-3310 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 297 of 2008, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-3-3310. The department may issue ano more than three permanent special motor vehicle license plateplates to a recipient of the Purple Heart for use on ahis private passenger motor vehiclevehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcyclemotorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in his name. There is no fee for the issuance of up to two license plateplates, and not more than twothree license plates may be issued to a person. The fee for the third plate is the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and a special motor vehicle license fee of thirty dollars. The application for a special plate must include proof the applicant is a recipient of the Purple Heart."

SECTION 22. Section 56-3-8000 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 353 of 2008, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-3-8000. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630, and motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names which may have imprinted on the plate an emblem, a seal, or other symbol the department considers appropriate of an organization which has obtained certification pursuant to either Section 501(C)(3), 501(C)(6), 501(C)(7), or 501(C)(8) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code and maintained this certification for a period of five years. The special license plate must be the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates and must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. The biennial fee for this special license plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee to be requested by the individual or organization seeking issuance of the plate. The initial fee amount requested may be changed only every five years from the first year the plate is issued. Of the additional fee collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of producing and administering special license plates. Any of the remaining fee not placed in the restricted account must be distributed to an organization designated by the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate.

(B) If the organization seeking issuance of the plate does not request an additional fee above the regular registration fee, the department may collect an additional fee of ten dollars.

(C)Of the additional fee collected pursuant to subsections (A) and (B), the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of producing and administering special license plates.

(D)Any of the remaining additional fee collected pursuant to subsection (B) not placed in the restricted account must be distributed to an organization designated by the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate, or to the general fund, if no additional fee is requested by the organization.

(E) Before the department produces and distributes a plate pursuant to this section, it must receive:

(1) for fiscal year 2011-2012, four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate, collected and provided by the sponsoring organization, or fourfive thousand nine hundred dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. For all subsequent fiscal years, it must receive six hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate, collected and provided by the sponsoring organization, or seven thousand five hundred dollars from the organization; and

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. If the individual or organization seeking issuance of the plate submits fourfive thousand nine hundred dollars for fiscal year 2011-2012 or seven thousand five hundred dollars for all subsequent fiscal years, the Comptroller General shall place that money into a restricted account to be used by the department to defray the initial cost of producing the special license plate.

(C)(F) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular plate authorized under this section, it shall not produce additional plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted.

(D)(G) License plates issued pursuant to this section shall not contain a reference to a private or public college or university in this State or use symbols, designs, or logos of these institutions without the institution's written authorization.

(E)(H) Before a design is approved, the organization must submit to the department written authorization of legal authority for the use of any copyrighted or registered logo, trademark, or design, and the organization's acceptance of legal responsibility for the use.

(F)(I) The department may alter, modify, or refuse to produce any special license plate that it deems offensive or fails to meet community standards. If the department alters, modifies, or refuses to produce a special license plate, the organization or individual applying for the license plate may appeal the department's decision to a special joint legislative committee. This committee shall be comprised of two members from the House Education and Public Works Committee and two members from the Senate Transportation Committee.

Appointments to the joint legislative committee shall be made by the chairmen of the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. The department's decision may be reversed by a majority of the joint legislative committee. If the committee reverses the department's decision, the department must issue the license plate pursuant to the committee's decision. However, the provision contained in subitem (B) of this sectionsubsection (E) also must be met. The joint legislative committee may also review all license plates issued by the department and instruct the department to cease issuing or renewing a plate it deems offensive or fails to meet community standards.

(G)(J)For Each new classification of special vehicle license plate including, but not limited to, motorcycle license plates, created pursuant to this section must meet the requirements of Articles 81 and 82, Chapter 3, Title 56 as appropriate."

SECTION 23. Section 56-3-8100 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 347 of 2008, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-3-8100. (A) Before the Department of Motor Vehicles produces and distributes a special license plate created by the General Assembly after January 1, 2006, it must receive:

(1) for fiscal year 2011-2012, four hundred prepaid applications for the special license plate, collected and provided by the sponsoring individual or organization, or fourfive thousand nine hundred dollars from the sponsoring individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. For all subsequent fiscal years, it must receive six hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate, collected and provided by the sponsoring organization, or seven thousand five hundred dollars from the organization;

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department; and

(3) the emblem, a seal, or other symbol to be used for the plate and, if necessary, written authorization for the department to use a logo, trademark, or design that is copyrighted or registered and acceptance of legal responsibility for the use. If the individual or organization seeking issuance of the plate submits fourfive thousand nine hundred dollars for fiscal year 2011-2012 or seven thousand five hundred dollars for all subsequent fiscal years, the Comptroller General shall place that money into a restricted account to be used by the department to defray the initial cost of producing the special license plate.

(B) The fee for all special license plates created by the General Assembly after January 1, 2006, is the regular biennial registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee to be requested by the individual or organization seeking issuance of the plate, as authorized by law. The initial fee amount requested can only be changed every five years from the first year the plate is issued. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued.

(C) If the individual or organization seeking issuance of the plate does not request an additional fee above the regular registration fee, and no other additional fee is prescribed by law, the department may collect an additional fee of ten dollars.

(D) Of the additional fee collected pursuant to thissectionsubsections (B) and (C), the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of producing and administering special license plates.

(E) Any of the remaining additional fee collected pursuant to subsections (B) and (C) not placed in the restricted account must be distributed to an organization designated by the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate, or to the general fund, if no additional fee is requested by the organization.

(D)(F) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate, it shall not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted.

(F)(H) The provisions contained in subsection (A)(1) and (2) do not apply to the production and distribution of the Korean War Veterans Special License Plates contained in Article 68, Chapter 3, Title 56.

(G)(I) For each new classification of special vehicle license plate, including, but not limited to, motorcycle license plates, created pursuant to this section, must meet the requirements of Articles 81 and 82, Chapter 3, Title 56 as appropriate."

SECTION 24. The provisions of this act are severable. If any section, subsection, paragraph, item, subitem, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of the act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed each and every section, subsection, item, subitem, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION 25. Section 3 of this act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor, the remaining sections of this act take effect upon approval by the Governor.